Fence slat construction

ABSTRACT

Slat apparatus for a chain link fence, comprising a plurality of substantially parallel slats extending through the fence wires. Each slat has laterally extending wing portions positioned closely adjacent to the wing portions of adjoining slats to provide privacy by leaving only small spaces between the slats. The slats have apertures extending laterally therethrough rearwardly of the wing portions. The slat apertures are laterally aligned and a flexible belt extends through the apertures to retain the slats in parallel relation on the fence. The wing portions are of less thickness than the slats.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a slat construction for chain linkfences or the like and, more particularly, to such a constructionwherein the slats are constructed to provide privacy when in side byside relation and are retained in position on the fence in a new andimproved manner.

For the purpose of providing privacy, wind protection and/or decoration,slats have been inserted or woven in chain link fences. In most cases,the slats have been so constructed or inserted in the fence that theyare not closely adjacent to each other and thus do not provide adequateprivacy. Such a fence slat construction is disclosed in the patent toMeglino, U.S. Pat. No. 4,512,556.

Slats having laterally extending fin portions that are closely spacedwhen inserted in a chain link fence or the like to provide a privacyfeature are disclosed in the patent to Sibeni, U.S. Pat. No. 5,007,619.Because of the fin portions, however, it has been difficult to use arelatively simple slat retaining means such as the connecting memberextending through aligned slat apertures shown in the above-referenceMeglino patent. The Sibeni patent, therefore, utilizes a rathercomplicated and expensive construction for retaining the slats inposition on the fence. This retaining construction requires the use ofupper and lower channel members for the slats, and also the provision oflock tabs on the ends of the slats.

The new and improved slat construction of the present invention providesthe desired privacy feature of the Sibeni patent and also a simple andeffective means for retaining the slats in the desired position on thechain link fence which is not subject to the disadvantages of theretaining assembly of the Sibeni patent.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The slat construction of the present invention comprises tubular slatshaving laterally extending, thin wing or fin portions that can bepositioned closely adjacent to each other when the slats are inserted orwoven in a chain link fence in substantially parallel relation like thatshown in the Sibeni patent. To retain the slats in the desired parallelpositions on the fence, the slats of the present invention are providedwith thin transverse apertures extending therethrough on one side of thewing portions thereof. These apertures are laterally aligned when theslats are in the desired parallel positions on the fence. A thinflexible belt extends laterally through the apertures to retain them inparallel position on the fence. The ends of the belt may be retained inany suitable manner on the fence.

In this manner, the slat construction of the present invention providesa simple, effective and inexpensive means of mounting privacy slats on achain link fence and is a considerable improvement over the slatconstruction in the Sibeni patent.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a portion of a chain link fencewith the slats of the present invention inserted therein and retained insubstantially parallel relation thereon;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross sectional view of a fence slat constructedin accordance with the present invention, showing a flexible beltretaining means extending therethrough; and

FIG. 3 is an enlarged rear elevational view of an upper portion of afence slat of the present invention with a flexible belt retaining meansextending through the transverse aperture thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates a portion of a chain link fence comprising aplurality of interlocking wires 10 that are mounted on upper and lowersupport members (not shown) in a well known manner. A plurality of slats12 are inserted or woven through the wires in substantially parallelrelation. Preferably, the slats are of tubular construction as shown inFIG. 1. The slats 12 may be formed of any suitable material such asplastic.

To provide privacy, the slats 12 comprise laterally outwardly extendingwing portions 14 of reduced thickness that are disposed closely adjacentto each other to leave only small spaces between the slats. Preferably,the wing portions 14 are formed integrally with the slats 12, are ofsolid construction and taper outwardly and inwardly from the slats.

The slats 12 each have an aperture 16 extending laterally therethroughrearwardly of the wing portions 14, as shown in FIG. 3. The apertures 16are laterally aligned when the slats 12 are inserted in the wires of thefence in the manner shown in FIG. 1. The apertures 16 may have anydesired size and shape.

For the purposes of retaining the slats 12 in the desired parallelpositions on the fence wires 10, a flexible belt 18 (FIGS. 1-3) isinserted laterally through the apertures 16 of the slats and is securedin any suitable manner at its ends (not shown) to the fence. The heightor transverse dimension of the belt 18 preferably is only slightly lessthan that of the apertures 16 to minimize movement of the slats 12 onthe fence wires. The belt 18 may be formed of any suitable flexiblematerial, such as plastic, rubber or the like, and may have any suitablecross sectional shape. Preferably, the belt 18 is of generally flatconfiguration for ease of manufacture and is of the same exteriorappearance as the slats. Because the belt extends laterally behind thewing portions 14 of the slats 12, it is barely visible from the frontside of the fence, as shown in FIG. 1, and thus does not adverselyaffect the appearance of the parallel slats on the fence. .Iadd.The belt18 and aperture 16 can be of different cross sectional shape. .Iaddend.

From the foregoing description, it will be readily seen that the presentinvention provides a new and improved slat and flexible beltconstruction that insures privacy, is easy to use and is simple andinexpensive to manufacture.

What is claimed is:
 1. Slat apparatus for a chain link fence havinglinking wires, comprising:a plurality of substantially parallel slatsextending through the wires.Iadd., each slat having a front face and arear face.Iaddend., each of said slats having laterally extending wingportions positioned closely adjacent to the wing portions of adjoiningslats to provide privacy by making it difficult to see through the smallspaces between adjoining slats; each of said slats having an aperture ofelongated cross section extending laterally therethrough.[.and.]..Iadd., each aperture .Iaddend.positioned .[.rearwardly of.]..Iadd.between the rear face and .Iaddend.said wing portions .Iadd.ofsaid slat.Iaddend., said apertures in said slats being laterallyaligned; and a substantially flat flexible belt of elongated crosssection extending laterally through said apertures in said slats toretain them in substantially parallel relation on the fence.[., saidbelt being secured to the fence.]..
 2. The slat apparatus of claim 1wherein said wing portions are of smaller thickness than that of saidslats.
 3. The slat apparatus of claim 2 wherein .Iadd.each .Iaddend.saidwing .[.portions are.]. .Iadd.portions is .Iaddend.tapered .[.laterallyoutwardly and inwardly from said slats.]. .Iadd.in cross section whenlaterally extending from said slat.Iaddend..
 4. The slat apparatus ofclaim 2 wherein said slats are of tubular construction and said wingportions are of solid construction.
 5. The slat apparatus of claim 1wherein said apertures and said belt are of different cross sectionalshape.